Four Strategies to Help Cows Conquer Cold
When Old Man Winter sets up long-term residence, both animals and people have extra daily challenges. But cows are amazingly resilient creatures, and are better able to withstand cold than many other animals, according to Dr. Jon Pretz, dairy nutritionist with Hubbard Feeds.
In a recently published, comprehensive bulletin on evaluating feeding strategies for the winter, Pretz noted that cattle are extremely cold hardy due to their large body mass; propensity to naturally increase metabolic rate; and ability to add insulation through hair growth and fat deposition under their skin.
Still, there are management measures that can help cows cope and stay productive through cold conditions. Pretz advised:
- Prioritize dryness – “A cow with a dry winter coat can withstand temperatures of about 18°F, also known as their lower critical temperature, before feeling cold stress,” said Pretz. As temperatures fall lower and wind chill becomes a factor, cows with a wet haircoat will have double the energy deficit compared to cows with dry haircoats.
- Monitor water – Cows prefer water between 40 and 65°F. Lower temperatures may cause water and dry matter intakes to drop. Also, be sure waterers remained thawed, and manage ice surrounding waterers that may deter cows from visiting them.
- Keep the feed bunk loaded – Cows will eat more when it’s cold to keep up with maintenance. But when cold temperatures become extreme, more feed may be necessary because dry matter intake is temporarily outpaced by increased metabolism, causing cows to enter a state of negative energy balance. Step up bunk and push-up management and consider feeding more on frigid days. “It’s not uncommon for cows to require an additional 20% more feed during cold weather,” advised Pretz.
- Watch for frozen feed – Wet forages and byproducts can freeze during long cold spells. This can result in issues of sorting off chunks of frozen feed in the bunk, reduced intakes, slower digestive passage rates, and more energy expelled by the cows to warm up and process the feed internally. Pretz advised that, as a result, ration energy levels may need to be boosted temporarily through increased starch, sugar, and/or fat during periods of extreme cold.
“With shelter from the wind and elements, adequate body condition, a dry coat, fresh water, dry bedding, and good nutrition, dairy cattle can tolerate temperatures well below zero,” concluded Pretz.
